A History of the Mahrattas v2.c38.4

v2.c38.4

Nujeef Khan carried on various military expeditions with success. Although the Emperor did not sanction the measure by remaining in the field himself, Nujeef Khan took part with the English and Shujah-ud-dowlah in the war against the Rohillas; he was afterwards successful against the Jhats; the imperial arms were again respected, and his own authority acknowledged throughout the province of Agra. But whilst thus employed at a distance, he found a domestic enemy in the person of one from whom he had a right to expect fidelity and friendship. As his own deputy in the imperial presence, he had chosen Abdool Ahud Khan, to whom he confided the care of the court and capital, together with the general administration of civil affairs. The new Dewan was shortly afterwards honoured with the title of Mujd-ud-dowlah; but the first use he made of his power was to establish his own influence over the imbecile mind of the Emperor, to the prejudice of his patron. Nujeef Khan did not remain ignorant of the progress of the intrigues against him, but he continued in the field and vigorously prosecuted the measures he had undertaken.¹ Much of his success, it may be observed, was owing to some regular infantry, the better part of which were originally disciplined by the English, when the Emperor resided under their protection; but there were now two distinct bodies in the service of Nujeef Khan: the one under Sumroo, a German,² and the other commanded by Madoc, a Frenchman.